title: Tonsillitis, tonsillectomy and weight disturbance.
abstract: To determine the relationship between tonsillitis, tonsillectomy and abnormalities in body weight, we have analyzed pre- and post-operative weights in a population of 55 children who underwent adenotonsillectomy in our department. Pre-operative mean weight was 9.8% heavier than the standard mean normal weight for age and post-operative mean weight was 22% greater than standard mean weight for age. The mean weight gain during the follow-up period was 12% greater than that which would be normally expected (p < 0.001). This study suggests that children undergoing tonsillectomy are slightly heavier than their peers and that following the procedure this discrepancy increases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, National Children's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Conlon
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Donnelly
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: McShane
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000233:Adenoidectomy; D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012008:Recurrence; D012737:Sex Factors; D014068:Tonsillectomy; D014069:Tonsillitis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D015430:Weight Gain